First, there is the conference of the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA), which is a large number of aggressive young men dressed in very fitted Brooks Brothers suits.  The subject matter is a deep dive into the latest investment techniques, but they preach “Modern Portfolio Theory” like “old tyme religion.”  And, they seem to murmur “don’t get in my way.”

Also, there is the conference of the National Association Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), which is a smaller number of older, white women dressed in the latest Sunday School collection from J.C. Penney.  The subject matter is a deep dive into the latest financial planning techniques, such as special needs trusts for handicapped people.  They seem to murmur “I take better care of my clients than you do.”

Then, there is the conference of the National Association of Business Economists (NABE), which is a smaller number of older, white men whose ten-year old suits from Men’s Warehouse would look somewhat better if they actually fit . . . but don’t.  (They wear yellow sticky-notes inside their shoes that say “Do NOT tie to other shoe.”)  While the subject matter is deeply intellectual, wrestling with the good of mankind, they seem to murmur “I am NOT an absent-minded professor.”

It is like three parallel universes, but I have a passport to each!